In the Shadow of the Red Brick Building

Description

Tony Charlie was one of the 28,000 victims of residential school abuse who received a cash settlement from the Government of Canada.

But not only was the settlement meagre in his case, the process and the criminal cases involving one of his abusers failed to bring closure.

“I will point my finger directly to the Government of Canada for this huge loss, as well as the Catholic Church who stood idly by doing nothing to assist survivors. They had enforced the harsh policy of Canada. The richest church in the world has made no efforts to assist healing to survivors for all the sex and physical abuses they inflicted to children at residential schools they operated.”

Counselling and family support helped Charlie gain control of his life, but it has been a difficult life from an emotional and physical standpoint.

“Even though I had a hard time most of my life as a survivor, I want to love and cherish what time I have left on this earth.  I don’t want to be a bitter and angry old man; it’s not my thing. Life is too short for this kind of situation to hold me in its grip.

“I will no longer lower my gaze. I will keep my head up as a proud First Nations man. I have no more guilt or shame.”

In The Shadow of the Red Brick Building is available from the publisher, Askew Creek Publishing of Chemainus, by contacting the Publisher.  Copies are also available at bookstores including Volume One in Duncan and Books, Miniatures & More in Chemainus and other bookstore on Vancouver Island.